Primary endpoint in this study was the oncological result in terms of local recurrence, distant metastases and cancer related mortality with minimum follow-up time of 5 years. Secondary endpoints were: operative time, blood loss, analgesic use, morbidity, hospital stay and 30 day mortality. Major morbidity was defined as complications requiring surgical treatment. In order to evaluate local and/or systemic recurrence, all patients were prospectively followed-up by clinical examination, tumour markers' assay and rectoscopy every 3 months for the first 3 years, then every six months. Total body CT, and pelvic MRI were repeated every 6 months for the first 5 years. According to the study protocol, no adjuvant therapy was administered, as recommended by the consultant oncologist in T2N0 rectal cancer patients.